Actor-Inspired Element: It was Chris Sarandon's idea to have Jerry eating apples throughout the film. While researching vampire lore, Sarandon looked at information about bats and concluded, "Jerry had a lot of Fruit Bat in his DNA."
Cast the Runner-Up: Stephen Geoffreys originally wanted to audition for Charley Brewster. His agent replied, "No, Steve, you're wanted for the part of Evil Ed".
Colbert Bump: The movie got some publicity when it was referenced by Senate Candidate Herschel Walker while campaigning in a runoff election. His speech became something of a meme, as he was discussing vampires and werewolves while campaigning for Senate.
Dawson Casting: Amanda Bearse is the more blatant example, being 26 and playing a high-school student. William Ragsdale was 23 at the time of filming. In Bearse's case, it was more intelligent casting since she had to convincingly behave as a sexually-aware, assertive woman during her vampire stage, and not an awkward teen girl.
Enforced Method Acting: In an attempt to produce an authentic reaction of fright when Charley sees Amy as a vampire for the first time, William Ragsdale did not see the stunt actress in makeup prior to shooting the scene.
Charlie Sheen auditioned for the role of Charlie Brewster, but Tom Holland decided his looks weren't right for the character, so William Ragsdale was ultimately cast. "Charlie Sheen was a hero," Holland commented in an interview with The Projection Booth. "Bill Ragsdale in playing Charlie Brewster was the guy next door."
Originally the script featured a radically different ending which was revised prior to filming. As Charley and Amy lie on the bed making out, "Fright Night" comes on TV and Peter Vincent declares, "Tonight's creepy crawler is Dracula Strikes Again. Obviously about vampires. You know what vampires look like, don't you? They look like this!" Charley and Amy are horrified as Peter begins to transform. Once his transformation into a vampire is complete, Peter stares into the camera, says, "Hello, Charley," and then the picture freeze-frames and the credits roll.
Chris Sarandon originally wanted his character to whistle the tune "Whistle While You Work" rather than "Strangers in the Night" when he first confronts Charley. But Disney refused to give permission for the former to be used.
Word of Gay: Stephen Geoffreys, a gay man himself, says he played Ed as a young closet case. Given that this move came out smack in the middle of the 1980s, this lends his performance a bit more nuance in retrospect.
